Tuesday, February 8, 2011

San Jose Metblogs: Cinequest 21!!!

I hope everyone is taking their vitamins, getting their exercise, and soaking up lots of this February sun… there are only 25 more days until Cinequest 21 hits downtown San Jose.

This year you can expect 173 films, starring such notable actors such as Edie Falco, Edward James Olmos, Uma Thurman, Catherine Deneuve, John Turturro, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Jenna Fischer and Chris O’Donnell… and even MORE.

Cinequest turns 21 this year, so it’s now of age, and of course in celebration there will be ten Maverick Meetups, 11 VIP Soirees, and of course the fantastic Openingand Closing Parties.

Passione

The opening film will be PASSIONE, screening at 7pm on March 1 in the California Theatre. These tickets go quickly, so you should be making plans now. This film is written and directed by John Turturro, and he is expected to attend the festival to receive the Maverick Spirit Award this year. The opening party will be at Eulipia Restaurant ANDThe Swinging Hookah on South 1st Street, right after the film.

The closing film will be SOUL SURFER, the story of Bethany Hamilton. This young surfing star lost her arm in a shark attack, and many teenage girls, including my daughter, have her poster on their wall – still surfing, even after the accident. But this story goes even further. Bethany found a great purpose in life when she visited Thailand after the tsunami. Played by AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and also starring Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt and Carrie Underwood, this film should make a great end to the festival. Bethany and AnnaSophia will both be receiving Maverick Spirit Awards. The closing party will follow at South First Billiards and will last until they kick us out (kicking and screaming). This will be another event you need to start looking at tickets for now to avoid missing out.

Nosferatu

Other highlights include:

The 1922 silent film NOSFERATU, A SYMPHONY OF HORRORin a 35mm color tinted restoration. One of the first vampires on film, you’re sure to have nightmares watching Edward Cullen’s great-great-great-great-great grandfather.

The Day of the Writer forums will focus on Sci Fi! Part One is called “Crafting the Heart of Sci Fi: The Story”. Howard Suber from UCLA will use films such as 2001, ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER and TERMINATOR as examples in this story development forum. Part Two is “Sci Fi Writing Comprehensive” and will be run by writers Steve Cuden (“Startgate Infinity”) and Paul Chitlik (“The New Twilight Zone”). Part Three is a discussion with two of the industry’s most prominent sci-fi writers: Academy Award winner David Webb Peoples (BLADERUNNER, 12 MONKEYS) will join whomever wins the Maverick Spirit Award. Should be interesting to anyone who loves Sci Fi!!

We will have Cinequest updates and film reviews up as we get closer to festival time. Keep checking back for all your Cinequest updates, and while you’re waiting, head over to the Cinequest site to purchase your tickets and film passes!

But most importantly, take care of yourself this month, because in 25 more days we’re all headed back to the theater for a marathon of independent film — JOIN US!